Man wanted on attempted first-degree murder, deputies say

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A DeLand police officer and a Volusia County Sheriff's Office deputy were involved in a shooting Monday, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The shooting happened in the area of 3894 North U.S. 17 in DeLand, the Sheriff's Office said.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the situation began around 3:30 p.m. after deputies received a tip out of Lake County that 33-year-old Dillon Parker, who had a warrant out for his arrest, was nearby and driving a gold vehicle back toward the area of De Leon Springs, where he's from.

After being notified that he was in the area of State Road 40 and U.S. 17, a deputy said he saw Parker cross over lanes of traffic and drive toward his vehicle in a head-on direction, forcing the deputy to swerve off the road to avoid being hit, Chitwood said in a news conference.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office and DeLand police vehicles at the scene of an officer-involved shooting on U.S. 17 on Nov. 19, 2018.

The deputy broadcast over the radio system that Parker was heading southbound on U.S. 17, according to Chitwood. Another deputy was able to locate the vehicle and throw out stop sticks, which eventually caused Parker to lose control of his vehicle and veer into a ditch, the sheriff said.

Another deputy, identified as Kevin Moss, pulled up and announced over his radio that Parker had gotten out of the gold vehicle and had begun firing a gun, Chitwood said. Deputy Wesley Blum, who Chitwood said was paralleling Moss when he arrived, pulled in and fired five shots at Parker through the windshield of his vehicle, according to the sheriff. Chitwood said Parker then began to run.

A DeLand police officer, identified as Cpl. Tony Tagle, passed the commotion while on his way to work and decided to turn around, DeLand Police Chief J.D. Umberger said in the news conference.

Tagle pulled up to the scene and got out of his vehicle with his assault rifle before firing at least three shots at Parker, who the chief said was running at Tagle. Parker was hit once in his thigh and once in the groin before falling to the ground with the gun still in his hand, authorities said. He eventually threw away the weapon, Chitwood said.

Parker was airlifted to Halifax Hospital in Volusia, where he is in critical condition, according to Chitwood.

No deputies or officers were injured.

Chitwood said Parker was a violent convicted felon who had a warrant out for his arrest regarding an incident earlier this month.

Deputies said he was wanted on one charge of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a firearm in a shooting that left another man in critical condition.

Authorities also said a woman was in the gold vehicle with Parker during Monday's incident. It's unclear whether she'll face any charges, according to the sheriff.

Chitwood said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting, which is standard procedure in deputy- and officer-involved shootings.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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